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Colorado State coach Jim McElwain impressed after first scrimmage

QB Garrett Grayson throws well, inside linebackers versatile

By Mike Brohard

Sports Editor

Posted:
04/06/2014 04:27:06 PM MDT

FORT COLLINS — The first scrimmage of the spring can be rather telling, and for Jim McElwain it was. Maybe it was just the weather pattern, but as soon as Colorado State was done at Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium, the sun did come out.

"Yesterday was really kind of that tipping point, and today was more of a confirmation," McElwain said at the conclusion of the 103-play scrimmage. "We're going to be pretty good, and that's kind of exciting."

Positives came where one might have expected. Garrett Grayson looked sharp (he was 13-of-20 for 184 yards and two scores), as did his backups. Nick Stevens was intercepted twice, but one bounced off the hands of Joe Hansley, as he finished 11-of-21 for 129 yards and one score.

Davis

Grayson, whom McElwain said fit in a couple of balls that opened up his eyes, connected with Rashard Higgins for a 51-yard touchdown, then with Jordon Vaden for a 21-yard scoring play. Hansley was at the end of a 21-yard scoring reception from Stevens.

"The way they managed and ran it, I thought they really operated our different tempos, be it everything from huddle to NASCAR and everything in between," McElwain said. "I thought just the way they operated was good."

For the most part, they were protected. There have been some breakdowns early in camp as the Rams refurbish their offensive line, and while McElwain figured there were about six sacks, he felt they have found a right tackle with the way Jordan Finley played, and he was impressed with Nick Callender on the other side. He also didn't see any glaring issues from center as that position battle continues.

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Two of those sacks came from linebacker Aaron Davis, giving a glimpse of what McElwain hopes will continue to be added pressure from the position.

"I would say some of the things that really stood out to me were I thought our inside linebacker play — we held Max (Morgan) — but that's really the strength of our team when you're looking at Aaron Davis, (Deonte) Clyburn and Kevin Davis and some of those guys inside," McElwain said. "Those guys are going to be some weapons, not only attacking the run but in the blitz game. We're going to need more production out of those guys, and I felt really good about that position."

Clyburn had one of two interceptions on the day, the other by Josh Bowman.

McElwain said the majority of the scrimmage was just line up and play, and when the team broke down into some situations, he felt the defense shined in the red zone, while the two squads broke even in second-and-10, then playing third down.

The only other touchdown of the day came on a 1-yard run by running back Bryce Peters. McElwain said he ran well, but still needs to run behind his pads more, something that will come with repetition. The young wideouts had their first extended look, with Elroy Masters catching three passes for 60 yards, while Vaden continued his upward arc.

The scrimmage represented the eighth practice, putting the Rams past the halfway point of spring. Next week will be their lightest (just three practices), but it does include the trip down to Commerce City to Dick's Sporting Goods Park on Saturday.

Still, what may have pleased McElwain most was the way the team responded when things didn't go well, another sign of a growing program.

"What I saw really was kind of some positive out of some negative, when we maybe did have a sack, it was, 'hey guys, let's go, let's go get it,' and we overcame," McElwain said. "Last year, sometimes when we had the negative play, we couldn't overcome."

Numbers — Peters had 46 yards on 15 carries. Jasen Oden tweaked his leg, so McElwain said they held him back for precautionary reasons. He said it will be a big week for the junior who moved over from safety. ... Robert Ruiz led the team with six catches, while Hansley had five. Higgins led the way with 82 yards. ... Safety Nick Januska had seven tackles to lead the team. Sacks came from Johnny Schupp, Evan Colorito and Martavius Foster. Corners Tyree Simmons, Justin Sweet and Brandon Henrie had two pass break-ups each.

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